Banyana Stun Japan In Osaka Days After 5-0 Drubbing
Linda Motlhalo’s early header fired South Africa’s Banyana Banyana to a historic 1-0 friendly win over Japan in Osaka on Tuesday, redeeming Saturday’s heavy 5-0 defeat ahead of next month’s WAFCON tournament in Morocco.
The match was the second meeting between the two nations during South Africa’s tour of Japan.
On Saturday, Banyana suffered a disappointing 5-0 defeat to the Asian champions. Following that loss, head coach Desiree Ellis said her side often learns more from defeats than victories, and her team successfully applied those lessons in the second encounter.
The reigning African champions are using the tour as preparation for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which will be held in Morocco next month.
Banyana started brightly and created several promising opportunities in the opening stages. Their positive approach was rewarded in the ninth minute when Linda Motlhalo headed home from close range after a corner delivered by captain Refiloe Jane, giving South Africa an early lead.
Japan nearly found an equaliser in the 26th minute when Saki Kumagai unleashed a right-footed effort from outside the box, but goalkeeper Kaylin Swart produced an excellent save to preserve her side’s advantage.
The hosts continued to create chances towards the end of the first half and came close again when Manaka Matsukubo’s right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area struck the woodwork.
Both teams began the second half with intent, but it was Japan who created the better opportunities. In the 70th minute, Karabo Dhlamini made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny the home side a deserved equaliser.
Ten minutes later, Kumagai thought she had finally found the breakthrough for Japan, but her header from the centre of the box towards the top corner was brilliantly saved by Swart.
Japan continued to push forward in the closing stages and came agonisingly close once more when Toko Koga’s right-footed effort struck the crossbar.
However, Banyana stood firm until the final whistle to seal a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Japan in Osaka, providing the perfect response to Saturday’s setback and a timely boost ahead of next month’s WAFCON finals in Morocco.
